Warning: Parameter 1 to wp_default_scripts() expected to be a reference, value given in /home/sailinj3/public_html/theme-update/wp-includes/plugin.php on line 601

Warning: Parameter 1 to wp_default_styles() expected to be a reference, value given in /home/sailinj3/public_html/theme-update/wp-includes/plugin.php on line 601

Warning: Parameter 1 to wp_default_scripts() expected to be a reference, value given in /home/sailinj3/public_html/theme-update/wp-includes/plugin.php on line 601Settling in to a place, but not a routine…yet. | Sailing Totem

Main Navigation

Settling in to a place, but not a routine…yet.

January 23, 2011

We found a sweet little marina in Sydney’s Middle Harbour. OK, so we didn’t exactly find it on our own- our friends on Quartermoon had recommended it back in French Polynesia. Long time Sydney residents, they said it was the best place to be for cruisers, and one of the few (only?) marinas in the area to openly welcome liveaboards. Because we’re planning to stick around for a while, earning some shiny coins for our cruising kitty, having a fixed slip to call home was important.

We might not be getting in the water to commune with fish any more (aside from the murk and muck, bull sharks come into this bay), but there are plenty of critters keeping things interesting. These two geese are long term residents of the bay- we’ve named them Peter and Paul. Victoria, from the marina office, says they’ve both male and have been here for many years. They love apple cores, but we have to feed them from the main dock and not off the boat… or they’ll come around and honk and tap on the hull to get our attention.

It’s really hard to believe we’ve been here about two months now. Time has flown: my whirlwind of interviews gave way to what Aussies pretty aptly call the “silly season”. The day after Christmas, we joined the fleet in the harbor to watch the Boxing Day start of the Sydney Hobart race. Our friend Brian, of the m/v Furthur, is making his way around the world “one party at a time”- and graciously hosted a group board.

I’m the shortest here, why did I feel the need to duck?

It was pretty insane on the water, and we were happy to be on the big powerboat with stabilizers! The size of the maxiboats out there racing made even some of the megayachts look like plastic pool toys. Jamie got to drive Further for a stretch on the way back.. I have pictures for blackmail at some later date.

A few days later, we braved the crowds on the water in Totem to anchor out and watch the New Year’s Eve fireworks. Heading out in the morning of the 31st, we staked out a prime spot with views of the Harbour Bridge and Opera House, then wiled the hours away.

spectacular summer weather!

Things got a little hairy as the day progressed and the wind piped up. Everyone with a boat seemed to be out to party, and anchoring skills were severely lacking… but there weren’t any mishaps, and everything was handled with plenty of good humor.

As for the show? I could try to put it in more descriptive words, but I can’t. It was simply the most spectacular fireworks display we’ve ever seen.

the eyes say it all

the bridge was one of 6 coordinated sites for launching the pyrotechnics

I don’t think we would have braved the crowds if we hadn’t had the capable hands of Hyo & Mike on board. They came down from Brisbane to start their land travels in Australia with us. Knowing we had the extra help on board made it less daunting, especially after seeing the madness of the harbour for the Sydney-Hobart start. After getting a half-decent night’s sleep anchored in the harbour (oh, the party boats… just as things slowed down- the sun rose. another excuse to crank up the tunes! *sigh*), we played tourist and did some waterfront sightseeing.

It hardly felt like the waning days of our spectacularly unstructured life. I’ve started work now, and there’s a chance the children will start school before long. But we’re trying to keep taking things one day at a time, and keep our cruising spirit fresh.

6 Responses to Settling in to a place, but not a routine…yet.

Lol! Funny about Peter and Paul giving you a wake up call for apple cores. That would get a bit old eventually. We are trying to get a few little things together to ship off to you over there. Not really sure what the kids might like from here though.

Wish we could have seen the Sydney fireworks! The ones here in Auckland were amazing though, and we had a great view of the Sky Tower.

I’m impressed with your ability to stay current with your blog. There are some many awesome things we’ve seen that I want to tell people about that our blog is a bit behind us. I guess as long as we keep updating it, it works!

Good to see a post. It’s been a few days. I was having “withdrawal” symptoms. I have officially “retired” from FY but I still miss the hugs from the kids. Now being a care giver to a best friend AND lots of other things keeping me busy. Are your kids excited about school in a classroom? Bet they all do GREAT! What’s your new job? Keep writing so we can all live vicariously through you. Hugz, Nita

I’m going to agree with Nita’s comment about ‘withdrawl’. I have been missing your posts very much, especially since it’s not like we don’t know you have lots of interesting things going on. But glad to hear you are settling in Down Under well. Keep us up to date on what’s going on. Now that you’re working again you can blog as part of your ‘messing around’ time at work